La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 review

We believe that the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 is a must to consider if you:

• need a highly stable yet agile beast for technical terrain
• prefer lighter shoes for fast-paced hikes
• found the Ultra Raptor 2's fit too snug

La Sportiva positions the non-GTX version of the Ultra Raptor 3 as a perfect summer-ready hiking shoe, but our own breathability tests contradict that statement. If you want to keep your feet fresh and dry while tackling rocky trails in summer heat, try the La Sportiva Prodigio Max instead.

Another reason to look away from the Ultra Raptor 3 is if your outdoor adventures involve less challenging trails and you could use more comfort and cushioning for longer distances. In that case, you might prefer shoes like the Danner Trail 2650 or the cheaper Merrell Moab Speed 2.

Built for stability and precision on technical trails, the Ultra Raptor 3 is more about control and less about cushioned goodness. Thus, we weren't surprised to measure its shock absorption at a very modest 93 SA in the heel.

We can't describe this La Sportiva shoe as responsive either, with its below-average energy return of 43.9%. There is nothing springy about its ride, as it feels grounded and predictable above anything else.

Curiously, the shoe's stack height isn't particularly low. At 35.4 mm in the heel, it actually provides a tangible buffer from rocks and debris.

It also proved slightly thicker than average in the ball-of-foot area, reaching 23.7 mm on our caliper. This setup helped us feel connected to the trail without exposing our toes to sharp trail objects.

The difference between the shoe's stack heights resulted in an offset of 11.7 mm. This is a perfectly average heel-to-toe drop for a hiking shoe, as it elevates the heel slightly to take the pressure off the Achilles and calves.

The Ultra Raptor 3 relies on a dual-density midsole to provide a balance of comfort and stability.

Most of the shoe's platform is made of a moderately firm CMEVA foam. With a below-average durometer reading of 40.5 AC, it has a slightly more forgiving nature, preventing the ride from feeling too harsh.

In the heel, a much firmer black foam is placed below the primary blend. With a significantly higher durometer reading of 62.9 AC, it makes the area much firmer for enhanced stability.

Familiar with the previous Ultra Raptor 2's notoriously narrow fit, we were surprised by the generous toe room offered by the new Raptor 3! Looks like it's built on a new last called Tempo 2.

Retrieving a one-to-one gel cast of the shoe's interior, we measured its widest area with a digital calliper. Showing 95.2 mm between the most extended points of its forefoot, the third iteration is an impressive 5 mm wider than the second one!

The shoe's toebox shape also received a major update. Reaching a solid width of 74.1 mm in the big toe area, it got 5.3 mm wider than the previous iteration! That puts it very close to the wide category!

However, the shoe's vertical space remains a bit limited with a toebox height of 24.3 mm.

If you have toe deformities like hammertoes or toenail concerns, please be wary of the shoe's large, tough toe bumper, which could put pressure on them.

Measuring the lug depth of this La Sportiva shoe, we recorded exactly 4.0 mm. This matches the brand's official specs and is indeed optimal for mixed and rocky technical terrain.

But lug depth is not the most interesting thing about the Ultra Raptor 3's outsole; it's the shoe's completely revamped tread design that makes it grippier and more versatile!

Its lugs got larger, blockier, and slanted, increasing traction on steep ascents and descents. The shoe also received a pronounced heel brake (Impact Brake System, as the brand calls it), which contributes to its stopping power.

All of this helps this La Sportiva tackle scree, dirt, sand, grass, moss, roots, and many other surfaces that call for an adjustable outsole.

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 gained rigidity compared to its predecessor, requiring a bit more force to bend at 16.8N.

But while it's not as pliable and manoeuvrable as before, it still flexes a good amount for a hiking shoe. It helped us find our way around tricky rocks and roots more effectively.

If there is one feature that always stood out to us in the Ultra Raptors, it's how these shoes combine lightness and ruggedness in one package. And the third iteration surprised us with an even lower number on the scale at 12.2 oz (346g)!

An ounce lighter than the average hiking shoe, it matches the 'lightweight, fast-moving' description to a T!

Unfortunately, we have to disagree with the brand's claim of 'exceptional breathability' in this Ultra Raptor shoe.

After taking it through a 3-hour breathability test, we found that this La Sportiva model is less effective at keeping the foot dry than the average hiking shoe. With a moderate result of 59 BR, we wouldn't recommend it for warmer conditions, as the shoe's description suggests.

Even though we are testing the shoe's non-GTX version in this review, we found that it dries just as slowly as a waterproof shoe would.

Measuring the amount of moisture evaporated during the 3-hour testing period, we recorded a below-average reading of 37%. Humid conditions, heavy sweat, and water exposure can leave the Ultra Raptor 3 feeling damp for quite a while.

As for the shoe's performance in cold conditions, our insulation test measured an average reading of 0.251 m² K/W. It doesn't allow the heat to escape too quickly, but it isn't warm enough for cold-weather use either.

And if its interiors get damp due to its limited breathability, the Ultra Raptor 3 can end up feeling even colder.

The Ultra Raptor 3 is one of the most confidence-inspiring hiking shoes for technical terrain in our catalogue. Reinforced with stability elements from the ground up, it helps with solid footing on loose rock and winding trails.

It may not be as backpacking-ready as the La Sportiva Spire (that shoe is a true low-cut hiking boot!), but it's still pretty high up the stability ratings.

Even though the new edition ditched the midfoot shank, we found no loss in the shoe's torsional rigidity whatsoever. At 18.4 Nm, it requires just as much torque to twist as the average hiking shoe, reducing the likelihood of ankle rolls or awkward foot placements.

Multiple overlapping TPU layers make this La Sportiva shoe's heel counter simply unyielding. Giving it a maximum 5 out of 5 stiffness score in our manual stiffness test, we found it one of the most structured heels we've seen among hiking shoes!

Paired with ergonomic ankle padding and a TPU lacing harness in the midfoot, it eliminates in-shoe play entirely in the Ultra Raptor 3.

The brand also kept the shoe's platform dimensions moderately slim to help with manoeuvrability and keep the weight down as much as possible.

Measuring the widest part of its midsole in the forefoot, our calliper showed a regular width of 109.5 mm.

The heel turned out to be more streamlined with a below-average width of 83.5 mm. It helps with more precise foot placement on tricky terrain and adds bonus points to the overall agility.

With its tough toe bumper, protective forefoot rand, and the new 'abrasion-resistant ripstop' instead of regular mesh, the Ultra Raptor 3 gives an impression of an incredibly rugged shoe. Yet, our Dremel tests showed that it has some weak spots too.

Applying our Dremel to the shoe's ripstop, we found that it scuffed a bit too easily, which lowered our toebox durability score to only 2 out of 5.

The textile lining inside the shoe's collar didn't look very reassuring either, as it tore almost immediately under our Dremel's sandpaper tip.

That lowered the shoe's heel padding durability score to only 2 out of 5 as well.

Gladly, the shoe's outsole rubber stood up to the challenge much better than its upper materials.

Measuring the depth of the dent left by our Dremel at 1.2 mm, we found its durability within the medium range, yet not impressively hard-wearing.

There is no lack of rubber in this La Sportiva shoe either. In addition to its 4.0 mm lugs, our calliper also recorded a solid 2.5 mm of outsole rubber under the foam.

The Ultra Raptor 3 is not the shoe you want to choose for cozy comfort, but it packs just enough interior padding to prevent the ride from feeling harsh. Its insole, in particular, showed a standard thickness of 4.8 mm in the heel.

The insole in question is the OrthoLite Hybrid, which stands out for its eco-friendly, washable construction. Yet you can swap it for more customised padding and support, as the insert is removable.

Just be wary of the shoe's low toebox height, which could limit room for some orthotics.

A positive aspect of firm platforms is that they don't get much firmer in low temperatures.

Measuring the Raptor 3's midsole foam with a durometer before and after a 20-minute freezer session, we observed a barely noticeable 7% difference in firmness.

The shoe's webbed eyelets have reflective strings for some minimal visibility in the dark.

At 9.0 mm, the shoe's tongue is adequately padded to protect the instep from lace bites.

Although the tongue of this La Sportiva shoe is not fully gusseted, it is covered with a knit sleeve, which creates a fully enclosed design. It still protects the interior from elements and debris like a gusseted tongue would, while contributing to a more secure lockdown.

A large finger loop makes it easier to slide inside the shoe's knit-like collar.

As a high-performance shoe with impressive stability and grip for demanding trails, we believe that the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 justifies its above-average price point. However, we do think that the durability of some of its upper components could be improved.

As a bonus, this La Sportiva shoe is also tagged as vegan because it is free of animal-derived materials.